Route overview

The Italianate Garden is now known to be the earliest of its style by 40 to 50 years, and was originally planned and planted in the early 1800s. Follow the waymarkers A to M to discover the Victorian Stumpery and the beautiful Temple dry Garden enclosed within this terrace.

Start at West Wing reception (A) heading back in the direction of the car park. Take the first turn left, continue past toilets sign and take the second left, heading towards the garden entrance at (B).

Turn left and skirt around rear of West Wing (C). Follow path to Rotunda bridge (D) and observe the dry moat. Now turn sharp right and head down the axial pathway. Turn left at the fourth shrub (E), cross the grass and follow the pathway between the hedges.

The dry moat simply provided daylight to the servants in the basement while ensuring that the family and visitors in the gardens could not see the staff at work.

Approximately 20 paces along this pathway, turn left at a gap in the hedge and enter the spring garden (F). Walk around the garden towards the eastern end of the perimeter path, then take a sharp right and enter the signposted Temple Garden (G).

The Spring Garden (F) has many spring flowers under a huge purple beech tree. In spring look out for primroses, cowslips, bluebells, ox-eye daisies, martagon lilies and snake's head fritallaries. In autumn expect to see cyclamen and crocuses.

Turn right, back along the hedged path and look for a gap on the left leading to the Stumpery (H). Continue all the way through on the winding path through the Stumpery.

Formerly a site with a large collection of ivies and ferns this area (H) has now been developed to create a Victorian stumpery. This style of garden design uses upended, well-rotted hardwood tree stumps placed on raised beds under trees with heavy shade to create a gothic, fairytale garden atmosphere beloved of the late Victorians. There are even stones from the Giant's Causeway.

Retrace your steps to the axial pathway at (E). Turn sharp left and head towards the steps leading to the garden terrace (J). Turn around 180 degrees to view the Capability Brown inspired landscape and then go back to point (E). Turn sharp left at (E).

From the steps at the top of the axial pathway (J), the Italianate landscaped garden can be viewed in its magnificence. Turn around and you'll also get a view over the parkland which, although not attributed to him, is in the Capability Brown style.

Follow the path and turn left through the gap in the hedge into the extended Stumpery (K). Turn right and follow the hedge perimeter to the Magnolia Garden at (L), and from here towards the garden entrance. At this point turn left to view the Victorian border (M) and its unusual and symmetrical plantings.

The Victorian border (M) was installed during the 1980s to reflect the change in garden designs over the Victorian period. This replaced the original Cypress avenue that stood here in the 1800s and had the Temple Summer House at the northern end.

Exit the garden the way you entered, returning to the car park or West Wing reception, shop and restaurant.

End: West Wing reception, grid ref: TL810610

In partnership with

Trail: Walking

Grade: Easy

Distance: 0.4 miles (0.6km)

Time: 20 minutes

OS Map: Landranger 155

Terrain:

A gentle circular route that is part-gravelled. May be muddy after wet weather, so boots may be necessary.

How to get here:

On foot: 4.5 miles from Bury St Edmunds via footpaths

By bike: Just off National Cycle Network Route 51, which goes through Bury St Edmunds. Visit Sustrans website for more information